Alexa had checked on Lionel again and found that he was dozing off.

'Mum, you came back!' he murmured drowsily.

'Of course I did!' Alexa said, her heart welling with pride and love for her first son. 'Did I not tell you I would?' she asked, kissing his cheek.

Lionel smiled. 'You did, indeed!' he said. 'Don't forget the promise both you and Dad made me for my birthday!'

'I won't!'

'Will you be here when I wake?' he asked. But before Alexa could answer, he sighed softly and slept. The stress of the past hours had taken its toil on him.

'I might not be here when you wake...